The Fresh

Fashion week. Haute couture. Full of looks that are completely beyond anything any normal person would care to pull off. The truth is, however, that these high fashion looks set the trend for the commercial realm and we all land up following suite in watered down forms, regardless of how we feel about the initial show. Keeping up with the times is thus quite necessary, however fickle it may seem.

New make-up trends were showcased recently, and it seems that the powers that be have decided that barely-there fresh faced make-up is the new on-point.
We have seen glowing natural skin, often with no foundation at all. (Seen at Marc Jacobs- strange choice as they have their own makeup range to promote). Freckles- which are one of my favourite beauty features- also showed face. Eyeshadows were in fleshy tones like neutural browns and pinks, creating natural shadows more than being very present.

Michael Kors

Marc Jacobs

I suppose it was to be expected. There has been season after season of bright, bold trends. Glitter masks, berry lips, purple eyes, thick blackened brows. Fashion always moves to the complete opposite of whatever has been on trend in order to make a a strong impact.

Fresh faced looks can make those of us with less than perfect skin want to cringe. Don't be fooled though. No make-up makeup can take just as much work as a full face with perfectly painted brows. How does one look glamorous and follow trend?

- Make sure you have your skincare routine down to an art.  Cleanse. Tone. Moisturize. Mask. Facial.. whatever it takes.
- Invest in a sheer tinted moisturizer that will let those freckles show through while evening out your skin tone. Try a BB or CC cream.

- If you want the coverage use a moisture-rich foundation and forego the setting powder,

- or conceal only in necessary areas in a concealer shade matching your exact skintone, blend out slightly and then use a tinted moisturizer over that.
- Avoid powder as this will dull the glow.
- Use a cream blusher

- Curl your eyelashes for extra impact without the mascara layers.

- Find a sheer tinted lip gloss or lip balm in a light peach, brown, pink or berry shade.

- Avoid the eye and lip liner.
- Comb your eyebrows into a neat shape.
- Don't fill them in, or use a light dusting of powder in the same shade as your natural hair.
- Invest in an illuminating cream. Focus placing this on the same areas you would place your highlighter in a contouring situation. (See my previous blog post).

MAC Strobe Liquid Lotion

Smashbox

Glow by Dr Brandt, Ruby Crystal

MAC Strobe Cream

- Remember to use SPF. Many foundations have SPF in them, and you may not be in the routine of sunscreen application.

I can't fathom a world with no make-up, but here are my easy to achieve, wearable versions of these looks.

Fresh Pinks

Fresh Earths

xoxo B xoxo

Fairy Hair

So my sister came from the salon in a trendy area a few months ago wondering what was going on in the world. There was an entire salon of unrelated women getting their hair dyed in wild colours. We discussed it at medium length and had a good laugh. Well, the joke seems to be on us. I have since noticed the interesting trend emerging in the world of beauty. What I like to call Fairy Hair.
Lilac, blue and pink locks are popping up all over my Pinterest, Instagram and Blog feeds. I even met a young lady in Clarens, SA, who is something of a local phenomenon due to her love of (and courage to wear) these unusual hair colours.

I have to admit that when that purple-grey hairdo first popped up on my screen gracing the head of extrovert, Kelly Osbourne, I was not a huge fan. Perhaps the combo of her vintage dress style and classic retro up-do's made the look a little sheep in wolf's clothing for me. I have, however, begun to like it in other styles I have seen on her since. It suits her image for sure and I didn't understand her [stylist's] vision. Clearly.

The trend is now being spotted on all sorts of celebrities, from Rock Stars and  Pop Stars to models, actors, teens, emos, goths, rich housewives and internet celebs.  I haven't been able to pin this trend to a specific group of people, and that intrigues me.

The decision to follow this trend is, of course, a bold one and not to be taken lightly. I am sure that the corporate environment, in general, would not approve. I do however find myself becoming a little (very) obsessed with this look. It is so whimsical and futuristic while staying feminine. Something very different, which I love.

 I especially love the lavender colour. As a make-up artist I'm sure I could pull it off in the work environment, but to be frank, I don't have the courage. Perhaps a wash-out version in an ombre style would be the safest first attempt.

My grandmother was quite a rebel in her day I think, and told me a story once about how she always wanted pink hair, but nobody would do it for her. Amazing how times change. :) I have noticed that the look can project a diverse array of connotations and walks a fine line between tacky, kawaii and classy. If you do decide to give this look a bash: Choose your shade and styling wisely, find an amazing colourist and wear it with massive amounts of confidence!